In the wake of a deadly cross-border attack, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani engaged in a telephone conversation today with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
The incident, which occurred in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, resulted in the tragic deaths of two children and injuries to three girls, prompting a swift response from Pakistani authorities.
During the call, Abdollahian reassured Jilani that Tehran "respects Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," emphasizing the importance of "continued cooperation and contacts."
The Iranian Foreign Minister went on to inform Jilani about the reasons behind the action on Pakistani soil, asserting that Pakistan's security is inherently linked to Iran's security.
Abdollahian underlined the necessity for ongoing collaboration between the two nations against common enemies, emphasizing the joint responsibility of authorities.
In response to Iran's actions, Jilani expressed deep concern, characterising the move as an attack on the sovereignty of Pakistan. He lamented the lack of prior notification from Iran and conveyed the prevailing sadness in the country following the incident.
Despite this, Jilani acknowledged that he believed Iran would have concrete reasons and evidence for its actions.
Earlier, the Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) condemned the attack as a blatant violation of the country's sovereignty and a breach of international law.
While the exact location of the incident was not explicitly mentioned by the FO, Iranian state media reported that it occurred in Panjgur. Pakistan asserted its right to respond to what it deemed an "illegal act," highlighting the gravity of the situation and emphasizing that the breach of sovereignty was "completely unacceptable" and lacked any justification.
